The best countries for outdoor adventures:
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- France
- Ireland
- Portugal
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Canada
Canada is known locally as the Great White North, but superstar rapper Drake has made the term “we the North” the new national anthem. Visitors to Canada will quickly see why it’s one of the best countries for outdoor adventures. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to ski in British Columbia or hike in Newfoundland, there are plenty of outdoor activities in every province. One could argue that Banff is the best place to be at any time of the year since you can kayak on one of the lakes by the Canadian Rockies or you can join a guided tour in the winter via the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise where you’ll learn about the local area while you hike, ski, or snowshoe.
Costa Rica
Forget the beaches and resorts, Costa Rica is full of outdoors adventures. The obvious thing to do here is to surf. Costa Rica spoils surfers with more than 50 breaks that are featured on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Divers won’t be disappointed either since the island features one of the longest unbroken barrier reeds in the world. As you can imagine, the island is full of spots where you can hike, but one place that stands out is the Manuel Antonio region. There are seven short trails that go by beaches, and greenery where you can spot waterfalls and some local wildlife. Oh, and if you’re looking for a rush, there are many ziplining tours available to get the blood flowing.
France
Most people only think of Paris when it comes to France, but it’s one of the best countries for outdoor adventures. There are almost 120,000 miles of waymarked hiking trails that go across mountains and along rivers that will keep you busy for some time. Cycling is also very popular here, Hello, Tour de France! The nation loves to pedal with a wide mix of terrain to satisfy both beginner and expert cyclists. When winter hits, the French Alps are not to be missed. Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys) ski resort has close to 400 miles in runs with 183 lifts. Fontainebleau, which is about an hour south of Paris has the perfect conditions and terrain for those who want to try their luck at bouldering which has become a popular thing to do as of late.
Ireland
Ireland is a country full of fantastic people and rich history, but the outdoors are highly underrated which is why you need to make a visit. The country is known as a world-class sea-kayaking destination and offers multiple tours for every experience level. Adventure racing is also hugely popular in Ireland with its varied landscapes. An annual tradition is the Art O’Neill Challenge where participants travel from Dublin to the Glenmalure valley as a homage to three Irish nobles who did a similar journey after breaking out of jail. The main difference is that the jailbirds didn’t make it. Surfing is another outdoor adventure to consider when spending time here since Ireland has Europe’s biggest and most varied surf. The water is cold so you will need a wetsuit.
Portugal
World-class watersports and terrific trails makes Portugal a go-to destination for outdoor adventures. The Rota Vincentina is comprised of two hiking trails which wind through some stunning forests, villages, and valleys. These trails run either 75 or 140 miles so you’ll want to budget enough time to do the trek. You might be surprised to learn that Portugal contains 80 islands which makes it a popular destination for kayaking. Along the Algarve coast, you can join an organized sea-kayak tour or adventure on your own. If you’re in the Azores, there are some amazing underwater reefs and caves which are begging to be explored via a dive.
